Nicaragua – Road Rehabilitation and Maintenance Project, Volume 1

Effective transport systems are an integral part of a good quality of life, enabling people to access resources, jobs, healthcare, pursue an education, and to market food, goods and services. At their best, transport projects can provide access and employment opportunities to communities and the private sector, provide a platform for widespread stakeholder consultation and participation in decision making, promote integrated development planning and ultimately, improved social development and economic growth. Social analysis in transport appraisal helps to maximize the opportunities for positive outcomes and also helps to reduce or mitigate the risks and negative impacts of construction activity, institutional changes and policy reforms. The guidance note on Social Analysis in Transport Projects was developed in collaboration with the Transport Sector Board of the World Bank with several audiences in mind. It is addressed primarily to social scientists within and outside the Bank who are expected to assist the Bank’s clients – Bank task managers and project authorities in borrowing countries – in integrating social analysis into Bank-financed transport operations. A second audience is the Bank’s task managers, as well as other members of project teams that work in and across sectors in which informed social analysis is a necessary tool for ensuring quality in Bank transport projects. The guidance note will also support country managers and sector managers in assisting their task teams in incorporating social development dimensions in the design and implementation of Bank-supported transport operations. Finally, the note is expected to be of use to governments, civil society and other stakeholders in considering how best to integrate social issues in their development efforts. As with all guidelines, the actual application of the framework and suggestions provided here will depend on the local context and available resources.